Can You Hear Me Now?

Communication. In the twenty-first century, the technology tsunami has made the passing of information faster and easier than ever before in human history. However, it seems to me:

We exchange more and more words, but we find meaning and compassion in fewer and fewer of them.

Communication can be done at the speed of light, but often lacks the illumination of the heart.

We have more data, but less wisdom.

The sea of people in our lists of Friends and Contacts may extend to the horizon, but is rarely more than an inch deep.

We process more information, but understand less.

We often find it easier to type and transmit words to someone who is miles away than to engage in conversation with the person at the table with us.

Challenges in communication are not new. Throughout history, God has used and continues to use a variety of ways to communicate with people (and to get people to respond to Him). One of God’s conversations with Moses involved a burning bush that was not consumed by the flames. To get Elijah’s attention, God used a gentle breeze. The angel Gabriel gave Mary the news that she would be the mother of God’s Son. And of course, God’s most prominent and powerful communication is Jesus Christ.

But there is another aspect of God’s revelation to humankind that is obvious but, at the same time, subtle. One of the themes of the Old Testament book of Psalms is the splendor of creation:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
– Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

. . . hillsides blossom with joy.
– Psalm 65:12b (The Living Bible)

Your awe-inspiring deeds shall be on every tongue . . .
– Psalm 145:6a (The Living Bible)

Some people dismiss creation as a way God communicates some things about Himself. Some folks go to the other extreme, worshiping nature for itself. But it was never God’s intent that the universe tell us all we need to know about the Creator or be an idol in place of God. In his book, The Great House of God, Max Lucado wrote, “The universe is his [God’s] calling card.” A calling card, or business card, is a way of introducing someone. The small piece of pasteboard is not intended to convey everything there is to know about a person. And, of course, the card is not nearly as important as the person it introduces.

So, whether I am outdoors photographing individual flowers . . .

. . . or majestic scenery,

I try to remember God is saying, “Can you hear me now? I’d like to communicate with you and for you to get to know me better.”